Thunder Bay Ontario Hotels & Motels

When should you visit Thunder Bay, ON?

Thunder Bay experiences a humid continental climate, much influenced by nearby Lake Superior. Summertime is mild, in the mid to upper 60s, while winters can be milder by Canadian standards, in the negative teens. Despite the cold weather, Thunder Bay does not receive as much precipitation as nearby Michigan due to the regional weather patterns imposed by the Great Lakes.

The mild summers are perfect for people who prefer cooler summers for hikes, fishing, and outdoor activity. Meanwhile, the cool winters are ideal for outdoor hockey and cross-country skiing. The formal gardens at The Centennial Botanical Conservatory are wonderful in spring and summer, and in winter months, the tropical arboretum offers a warm indoor escape.

Thunder Bay presents a full calendar of annual events that are family-friendly, even throughout the cold winter months. Winter fun days invite people to snowshoe, paint snow, build snow sculptures, dog sled, or cook outdoors, then warm up with an indoor craft activity. Warmer weather heralds outdoor movie and concert season, and the annual June Kite Festival at Chippewa Park. The biggest celebration of all comes in early July, when Thunder Bay celebrates Canada Day on the waterfront with the area's biggest fireworks celebration.

Each summer, visitors and history buffs come from far and wide for the "Great Rendezvous" at Fort William Historical Park, which is a recreation of the annual meeting of company fur traders that once took place here. Participants from across the US and Canada register to camp for the weekend and take part in the reenactment. The Fort's amphitheater hosts events throughout the year, from hockey in the winter to camping in the summer. If you are planning to visit this event, be sure to book your Thunder Bay, Ontario, hotel accommodations early!

What hotels offer the most value in Thunder Bay, Onatio?

Guests who are planning long-term stays in Thunder Bay, Ontario, should consider Marriott's TownePlace Suites Thunder Bay. The apartment-style layout includes a full-size refrigerator and stovetop, giving you options to stay in and cook, an added value that saves money on dining out.

Plush bedding and cozy, contemporary décor invites you to stay a while, watching movies in bed on the LED television, or venturing downstairs to the indoor pool and spa tub. A 24-hour fitness center is ideal for night owls, and there's a convenience store downstairs as well to satisfy any late-night cravings. In the morning, you can wake up to a hot (and free) breakfast reception — adding even more value to a great stay in Thunder Bay.

If you're looking for a stylish hotel at a value price, head over to Holiday Inn Express & Suites Thunder Bay. This hotel is decorated with cheerful colors and bold patterns, from lemon yellows to cornflower blue. More than a pretty face, you'll find great amenities here, including an indoor pool, free daily breakfast, shopping on site, and barbecue grills outside. Plus, you'll be just minutes away from the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Port Arthur Stadium.

What Thunder Bay hotels provide guests with discounted rates?

Seniors, military and government service members, and AAA members will find excellent hotel discounts at Comfort Inn in Thunder Bay. This business-district hotel is newly renovated with a modern sensibility, from the glossy black granite-like countertops to the caramel-colored carpeting and bedding. Pops of red bring warmth and welcome to the lobby space and its fireplace. Be sure to indulge in the free daily breakfast during your stay, including making a hot waffle at the breakfast station, then hit the road quickly with express check-out.

AAA members looking for great deals in Thunder Bay, Ontario, will be hard pressed to find better pricing than at Econo Lodge Thunder Bay. This economy motel offers everything you need, especially a great night's sleep in a clean, well-kept room convenient to Thunder Bay's best attractions. Complimentary amenities include free wireless internet, cable programming, coffee/tea makers, toiletries, and a morning breakfast of favorites like bagels, muffins, and hot coffee.

What should you do and see on your stay in Thunder Bay, ON?

Mount McKay lies just south on the Indian Reserve of the Fort William First Nation. At 1,585 feet, Mount McKay is the highest point of the Nor'Wester Mountain range. The barren, flat-topped rock face is ringed by forests lapped by the shores of Thunder Bay. The mountain is named after a fur trader who resided in the area in the mid-1800s; however, the mountain's significance stretches back much further.

The Ojibwe tribe refers to Mount McKay as "Thunder Mountain" in their native tongue, and the flat-topped peak is still used by the Ojibwe for sacred ceremonies. The land has only recently opened to non-First-Nation people. The easiest path to Mount McKay's summit is up the eastern face, which terminates in a lookout on the lower eastern plateau, with sweeping views of Thunder Bay and the city harbor. For more hiking opportunities, head over to the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, so named for the rocky outposts that looked like a sleeping giant. On the trail, you might spot a glimpse of a moose or a wolf on the move.

Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout is another local site of note near Thunder Bay, Ontario. The monument is dedicated to cancer research activist Terry Fox's marathon of hope. Terry Fox, afflicted with cancer, nevertheless set out on a trans-Canada walk in April of 1980 to raise money for cancer research. The site is located just miles from the spot where Terry terminated his walk.

No visit to Thunder Bay, Ontario, is complete without a visit to Kakabeka Falls on the Kaministiquia River, just 30 kilometers west of the city. The impressive waterfall's 130-foot drop accounts for its nickname, "The Niagara of the North."